Columbia River above Bonneville Dam - 13 more days added to spring chinook season

Action:
Season extended through June 15 for salmon and steelhead angling on the mainstem Columbia River from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border.

Species affected:
Salmon and steelhead

Location:
Mainstem Columbia River from the Tower Island powerlines located about 6 miles below The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border plus the Washington bank between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines (except for those waters closed under permanent regulations).

Effective date:
Immediately through June 15, 2011

Daily bag limit:
Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead or sockeye), of which no more than 2 may be adults. Release all wild chinook and wild steelhead. Sockeye count toward the daily adult salmonid limit. Salmon minimum size is 12-inches.

Additional rules:
It is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration, to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.

Anglers may not possess in the field salmon and steelhead mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined until anglers have reached their automobile or principle means of land transportation and have completed their daily angling.

Reason for action:
There are upriver fish remaining on the harvest guideline for the non-Indian recreational fisheries, based on current forecasts and management agreements.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.